Chicharito scores eventual game-winning goal in FA Cup triumph

The Mexican striker had a rather silent match until he headed home a cross from Nani to cement Manchester United's place in the quarterfinals.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez made good on his chance to start for Manchester United against Reading in the FA Cup on Monday.

With Robin van Persie left on the bench and Wayne Rooney rested altogether, Chicharito scored the eventual game-winning goal to help the Red Devils to a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, one that cemented the club's place in the quarterfinals of the competition and kept dreams of a league, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League title treble alive.

Chicharito had a mostly quiet evening until the 72nd minute, when the Mexico national team star headed home Nani's cross from the right to give United a 2-0 edge. Nani had just scored three minutes earlier -- and five minutes after van Persie entered the match as a substitute -- to alleviate worries of a replay at the Madejski Stadium after the teams remained scoreless for the majority of the match.

It looked like Chicharito's goal was just going to be an insurance tally until Jobi McAnuff scored for Reading in the 81st minute to slice the deficit in half and lend more importance to Chicharito's header. The Mexican was denied his second goal in the 88th minute, when his blast from 20 yards was parried by Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

The goal was Chicharito's first since a Jan. 26 FA Cup double against Fulham, and it was his 15th in 26 games across all competitions this season.